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Door staff@engadget.com (Husain Parvez) - 01 Nov 2026
Instead of attempting to cram a massive solar panel on a traditional vehicle, Aptera has designed an EV featuring a teardrop-shaped body with three wheels, just two seats and lightweight composite construction. That's quite different from the median model-year 2025 EV. Aptera is aiming for 100Wh per mile, which is about a fourth of the EPA's median EV consumption.
Aptera's solar panels have delivered measurable results. During July testing in Southern California, TÜV Rheinland measured 4.23kWh delivered to an Aptera prototype's battery, with the car parked, untouched and its hatch closed. At Aptera's targeted efficiency, that equates to about 42 miles of solar range. That could translate to plugging in less often for someone who has a short commute and a sunny parking spot. Still, garage parking, a few days of cloudy skies or a long road trip alters the equation. The test also confirmed the electricity collected, not how far the car could actually drive on it.
History has shown that Aptera's goal isn't easy. For example, Lightyear suspended production of its first solar EV in January 2023, just weeks after deliveries began. Lightyear's operating company, Atlas Technologies, entered bankruptcy days later.
Aptera has yet to announce a final selling price, but the Launch Edition has a target price of $40,000. The company says in its October 1 SEC filing that it plans to begin building its first 40 production vehicles by the end of 2026, with customer deliveries expected in early 2027, subject to financing, supplier performance and regulatory approvals.
Aptera's solar panels have delivered measurable results. During July testing in Southern California, TÜV Rheinland measured 4.23kWh delivered to an Aptera prototype's battery, with the car parked, untouched and its hatch closed. At Aptera's targeted efficiency, that equates to about 42 miles of solar range. That could translate to plugging in less often for someone who has a short commute and a sunny parking spot. Still, garage parking, a few days of cloudy skies or a long road trip alters the equation. The test also confirmed the electricity collected, not how far the car could actually drive on it.
History has shown that Aptera's goal isn't easy. For example, Lightyear suspended production of its first solar EV in January 2023, just weeks after deliveries began. Lightyear's operating company, Atlas Technologies, entered bankruptcy days later.
Aptera has yet to announce a final selling price, but the Launch Edition has a target price of $40,000. The company says in its October 1 SEC filing that it plans to begin building its first 40 production vehicles by the end of 2026, with customer deliveries expected in early 2027, subject to financing, supplier performance and regulatory approvals.